Side effects of exemestane (Aromasin)

Hi ! I was also a Hygienist👍 started on letrozole first, first month was OK after that awful, total of three months went off taking a break for two months started on exemestane same thing happened but worse felt horrible. Debating to go on any at all. I did read a couple girls took the exemestane every other day or three times a week and felt fine. I may give that a shot. It’s not worth feeling crappy to me all the time, my breast cancer was very minimal. All my test have been clear coming back. Praise God! radiologist told me very few people can tolerate these pill. My oncologist who wrote the script (don’t really care for him) has never heard of anybody taking it every other day or three times a week. I don’t believe him.. he is the type of doctor that it’s his way or no way. I would love to try an Acupuncturist, but I don’t know of any. I am in South Florida. I guess I should do some digging around. I do have severe carpal tunnel now Because of these drugs, had to see a hand surgeon, there’s a physical therapist in her office, but she does not feel physical therapy will help me much. I’m hoping to find an acupuncturist. I don’t know who goes to any to ask but I know it can’t Hurt. Praying you feel better soon

I started on letrozole for three months, the first month I was fine then I felt horrible so we went off of it. I did not take anything for two months and he started me on exesemtane and the same thing happened, felt fine for the first month and then felt worse, terrible body aches and pains, my joints hurt and my hands are horrible. Ended up at a hand surgeon that said I have now carpal tunnel. They believe it is from the drug. So I have now gone off of the exesemtane I’ve been off of it for two weeks. I feel so much better. I do not think I’m gonna take any of these medication’s. My oncologist radiologist who did not write the script said very few people can take these drugs and she felt everything I have been through radiation and chemo and surgery that I should Be good. She also said at the end of the day it’s your quality of life. I had stage one breast cancer two cells. One was stage one , and the other one was actually a stage zero. I have heard from a couple people that they take the five year pill every other day and one girl takes it three times a week and they feel much much better. I may give that a shot in another month. My main objective now is to try to get my hands to feel better. If I start the pill again, I will do it every other day and see how I feel if things are the same I’m gonna stop altogether. It’s not worth it to me to feel horrible every day, and I do know Side effects are really bad. All doctors have told me that, including the heart doctor.

Bless you , I had 3 rounds of chemo & 5 weeks of radiation..was first on letrozole for 3 months felt horrible, Bodyaches and joint aches and my hands really hurt took a break for two months then he put me on exemestane and it’s also been three months and feeling terrible, my hands are really bad ended up at a hand surgeon , They diagnosed me with carpal tunnel, probably from the pill. I wish I could find a good acupuncturist. I have never been to one. Don’t even know how to search for one that would be good. Thank you for your response.. might just stay off of those pills entirely.. my oncologist radiologist said most people have a very hard time with them. They have a lot of side effects and she did not care if I stayed on it or not. She also mentioned quality of life at the end of the day …feeling better.

I tried all three of the AI inhibitors. The last one I was on was exemestine. I had three allergic reactions that sent me to the hospital. The common denominator in the allergic reactions were the AI inhibitors. My oncologist supported my decision to go off the medicine. I wish I could take the AI inhibitors, I worry about the cancer coming back. I was on the AI inhibitors for 2 years.
I live in fear every day of an allergic reaction, they were so severe. Epi pen and Benadryl in my purse at all times.

Yes, I was first put on letrozole And had terrible joint and muscle aches and just did not feel good this was after one month , Took a two month break and then was put on exemestane , Felt even worse after a month Also, I started feeling terrible and it just Got worse, have terrible, terrible carpal tunnel and neuropathy in my hands because of these pills, Since getting off of the pills which both pills I was only on each one, a total of three months each, I am going off all of them for a While, I met a girl a couple girls actually that take these pills every other day or three times a week and feel much better, they can tolerate them much better. I may consider just trying that, my oncologist radiologist said very few people can take these pills without bad side effects. I did not have bad breast cancer( I guess I can put it that way.) It was a stage one. I may just take my chances I keep my fingers crossed, since I’ve been off the pill now it’s been about 2 1/2 weeks. My hands have improved greatly, all body aches and pains are gone, so I know it’s these pills at the end of the day. I do not want to feel as bad and achy as I was…I’m going to think about it and possibly do one pill three times a week. These girls said their doctor said something was better than nothing. My doctor did Not Agree .. but have not really cared for my doctor from the beginning, his mindframe is his way or no way.. does not really work with you well which is not fair you have to become your own advocate I guess and do what’s best for you, I’m sure there are a lot of girls that can take these pills perfectly fine. I unfortunately am not one of them.

I started Exemestane about 2 years ago in order to get clear enough margins for a mastectomy. I would say I’ve had no negative side effects but after reading some of the other comments, I suspect that it has exacerbated the arthritis in my hands.

I started anastrozole in November. The pain has been so bad. I have trigger thumb and can bend several fingers. Can’t play golf anymore. Bone aches. I decided to go off the pill. I do have much more energy now I’ve been off for two weeks still have joint pain, but nothing new. May try a different pill, but I think I’m going to be in pain no matter which pill I take. I had a 98% estrogen stage one. I know I have to make some decisions but boy it sure is difficult. My heart goes out to all of us who have the side effects. The doctor seem to be so immune to our complaints. I wish they would do some more clinical studies on other medications.

Im sorry to hear about your hands, I have also noticed similar traits with my doctor, she has a very cold personality which I understand to a point but at the same time out treatment does not stop once the active cancer is out I’ve our body and I feel they might forget that part. I have definitely been struggling with being able see my full schedule of patients due to my back, my hands are stiff and what scares me is that’s how my back started. I only went back to work last week so my hand can easily get worse very quickly, I’m going to look into the acupuncture and every other day for the pill like you had suggested and see if those are some options for me. I’m only 37, I can’t keep doing this for 5-10years and attempting to work in hygiene it just isn’t realistic. Please let me know your doing and if you find anything solutions. Best of luck with your hands💜

I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, the doctors do seem very immune to all of our complaints. My doctor seems to do the treatment and not handle The side effects Well. I had stage one right side and just had a lump ectomy. This was a year and a half ago, my oncologist radiologist did say people cannot take these pills. My regular Oncologist disagrees. But I have spoken to too many girls that cannot take the pill. Going to stay off for a couple months to see if my hands get any better because it is becoming debilitating. I’m too young for that. I will give it one more shot in a few months, but only taking the pill either every other day or three times a week other girls said their doctor said something is better than nothing. My doctor did not agree but again I think we have to be our own advocates, Do the research and do what we feel is best for our bodies. Side effects on these pills are horrible and my regular MD doctor did agree I wish us all the best ❤️

Yes, I am taking exemestane every other day. I saw research paper indicating that 3x week was just as effective as every day. And since postmenopausal women make estrogen from their fat in their bodies, they used obese women in the study. Soooo- I am convinced. I have osteopenia and do not want full blown side effects.